The Saints Presbyterian Church in Lyttelton Centurion, a church of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA), welcomed parishioners and neighbouring residents for its annual Health and Wellness Day on 11 October.
The event, which kicked off with a community fun walk, offered a comprehensive blend of health services, educational workshops, and engaging physical activities, while also successfully combining them with spirit-filled fellowship, and a crucial focus on holistic wellbeing for all ages.
Kicking off the weekend the night before with a special screening of an inspirational movie, the pre-event gathering was designed to inspire the church youths and encourage them towards positive actions and making healthier choices in their lives.
Attendees over the wellness weekend were provided with a wide variety of essential health services of which many were complimentary. Out of the varied stations, the free health screenings staffed by a volunteer nurse from the local hospital, which included blood pressure checks, came to be the most popular.
“The health and wellness journey was inspired with the sudden passing of former UPCSA ministry secretary, Rev. Dr Patricia Baxter, in 2023. As I struggled to come to terms with that loss within the UPCSA, it was impressed upon my heart that I should facilitate more health and wellness campaigns to encourage people in my local community and congregation, Saints in Tshwane Presbytery, to be more proactive in caring for our health. This to me, can be achieved by connecting the body, mind, and soul, hence the theme. I believe that the Spirit congregant can grow even stronger when their bodies and minds are well and healthy,” reflected Elder Gloria Spelman, the organiser of the weekend’s events.
